HUNDREDS of runners pounded the streets of Redcar in the town’s annual half marathon.

As the race got under way yesterday, the sun shone down on the professional and amateur runners and wheelchair racers who had travelled to the town from around the UK.

Spectators lined the streets to cheer them on.

But as the miles were racked up, the sun made way for a chillier breeze - welcomed by some of the competitors.

This year the race was started by Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jo Jackson.

A 3k Redcar Family Fun Run, sponsored by the Redcar and Cleveland NHS Primary Care Trust, was held on Green Lane playing fields and attracted younger runners.

It took place alongside the 29th Redcar Half Marathon, organised by Tees Valley Leisure. A total of 1,550 took part in the half marathon and 350 in the fun run.

First wheelchair racer over the line was Simon Lawson, 29, of Maryport, in Cumbria, who is trained by Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and her husband Ian, who both also took part. Simon, who won the event last year, said: “The conditions were good and I enjoyed it.”

Graeme Taylor, 25, from Jarrow and Hebburn Running Club was the first runner over the line in one hour and 10 minutes.

“It’s my first major win,” he said. “It’s not the most picturesque of races but it’s a brilliant run - it’s nice and straight and there are no hills.”

The first woman to finish was 30-year-old Carolyn Summersgill, from Coulby Newham, who runs with Middlesbrough and Cleveland Harriers. “I didn’t expect to win,” she said. “It was a bit warm to start with but then it clouded over and got windy which cooled us down.”

After finishing the race, Dame Tanni said: “It was really hard. When you’re training full time you take fitness for granted. It was a great course but really hard, but it’s nice to be out in Redcar again.”

Among the runners were brothers Sam Thomson, 26, and Jacob Thomson, 25, from Marske, who were taking part to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance.

They have been raising money for the cause since their friend Matthew Heath died in a motorcycle accident in 2008.

Sam said: “We’ve raised over £10,000 and today we’re adding £200 to the kitty. We’ve also got a £20 bet between us - it’s a bit of brotherly rivalry.”

Jade Fraser, 21, and friend Anne Pryde , both from Saltburn, were dressed up as dogs to raise money for charities Save Our Strays and Greyhounds Galore.

“We’ve raised £200 so far,” said Anne. “We hope the buses haven’t started running again when we’re still coming back,” she laughed.

Steve Briggs, 42, from Redcar, and his brother Jamie, 32, and friends James Thomson, 22, and Steve Lindford, 42, were running to raise money for Redcar Gymnastics Club.

Steve said he was missing seeing his daughter Alice, 11, who is a member of the club, compete in Manchester to do the run.

“The club’s building is falling to bits and it has planning permission for a new building but it will cost about £2m.